Celebrating Spring Through Culture and Community at Beau Soleil | Beau Soleil

Celebrating Spring Through Culture and Community at Beau Soleil

Three Grade 11 students, Elizabeth, Sofia and Zlata, recently brought the Beau Soleil community together through an exciting CAS project celebrating Maslenitsa, a traditional Slavic festival that marks the arrival of spring. Their initiative transformed the school into a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, and community spirit, offering students the opportunity to discover and experience traditions from across the Slavic world.

Organising the event required significant planning and preparation. The students carefully designed a programme of activities that would engage the whole school, sourcing a large number of materials and products from both Moscow and Switzerland. Their goal was to create a balanced mix of creative, educational, and light sporting activities inspired by traditions found in countries including Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Serbia, and many others.

Throughout the day, students from different year groups were invited to take part in a wide range of interactive experiences. Creative activities included weaving necklaces from sushki (traditional dried pastries), making obereg dolls, small talismans believed to bring protection and good fortune, and writing postcards in different Slavic languages.

The festival also featured traditional games and challenges that brought energy and laughter to the event. Students learned how to flip pancakes in frying pans, threw felt boots known as valenki at targets, and tried on national costumes and headdresses. Popular activities included sack races, musical chairs, and the classic egg-and-spoon race, with participants receiving prizes for their efforts and enthusiasm.

Food played an important role in the celebrations, with students enjoying freshly prepared pancakes served with a variety of fillings, alongside tea, Slavic pastries, sweets, and confectionery prepared by our chefs. Traditional music from different Slavic countries filled the atmosphere throughout the day, while a video presentation gave students insight into how Maslenitsa is traditionally celebrated outdoors in large public gatherings.

The event was a wonderful success, bringing joy, curiosity, and cultural learning to the Beau Soleil community. It was clear to see the enthusiasm of everyone involved, with students embracing the opportunity to try something new, learn about different traditions, and celebrate together.

This memorable CAS project was only possible thanks to the dedication of Elizabeth, Sofia and Zlata, as well as the support of many members of the Beau Soleil community. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the management and administration teams, Nuno and the Maintenance team, our chefs in the kitchen, and all the students who helped run the different activity stations throughout the day.

We congratulate everyone involved for creating such a meaningful and joyful celebration, and we wish the entire Beau Soleil community a wonderful spring season ahead.